hymnster

Religious adherents, often Christian, belonging to a subculture of believers who value well-written hymns for worship and devotional use which are theologically sound and musically rich. This musical prioritization often puts hymnsters at odds with those who exclusively cherish the more popular worship/devotional music which pervades religious culture through such media as Christian radio stations and large music festivals. Hymnsters will frequently take delight in finding and using examples of obscure church hymnody and will treasure older and even ancient worship resources, although newer hymns and music can be highly appreciated by a hymnster if such music meets the standards of quality outlined above. A hymnster does not dress in a certain way, live in a certain type of area, or fall in a particular age or racial demographic, but a hymnster's musical tendencies are often found in people who have experienced continued theological education in later adolescence into adulthood. Churches often welcome and promote dialogue between people with a variety of hymnic tastes, including hymnsters, fans of popular Christian music, and those who like to simply sing what they are accustomed to singing.

Dave's such a hymnster: his Facebook status says he liked Hildegard of Bingen way before the pope made her a Doctor of the Church!

You should come to the shape-note singing Saturday- there'll be tons of hymnsters to meet at the potluck afterward!

Dude, hymnster's paradise: I just got the 1875 Mennonite hymnal, and it's got an appendix of German hymns!

My favorite band? Lost and Found, but you probably haven't heard of them. You have to go to a church retreat with the other hymnsters to really get an idea of what their music's about.

by idouasquirrel October 15, 2012